Indiana University Athletics
Hunter Relaxed, Calm Heading into NCAA Championships
6/8/2015 10:19:00 AM | Track and Field
NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
June 10-13 • Eugene, Ore.
NCAA Championships Central Page
By Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
Days before competing in his second consecutive NCAA Outdoor Championships, senior Rorey Hunter is relaxed.
His voice is calm as he describes his work heading into the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He'll race for a national championship in the 1500m run--the very same race he finished ninth in last year.
Staying even-keel is all part of Hunter's plan. In the 1500m, strategy is nearly as important as speed. Come race day, he wants to block out the surrounding noise and focus on putting himself in a position to win.
"I try to keep a calm head and not get too excited about the race, even when it's this big," Hunter said. "Otherwise, I'll waste too much energy. But I'm really excited going into the meet because it's a chance to really do something special."
Hunter, who will race the first round of the 1500m on Wednesday at 7:14 p.m. ET, is no stranger to the NCAA's after representing the Hoosiers in Eugene, Ore., last season.
He said his previous race experience helps him stay relaxed. He's already familiar with the format, the facilities and the feeling of being on the starting line with a national championship up for grabs.
"Last year I was kind of coming into it and didn't know what to expect, which can be a bit hard," Hunter said. "This year, I've got that race experience and know what to do. I'm ready for anything when it comes to races really. I know to just relax in the atmosphere rather than tense up and get overwhelmed by it all."
Staying calm makes it easier to think during the race, which Hunter said is key in the 1500m because of the variety of strategies that can play out.
At the NCAA East Preliminary Round, Hunter qualified for the championships with a time of 3:45.19. The top six spots in his heat were separated by just .23 seconds.
Hunter said it's hard to tell what kind of race he'll get at the national championships, but he's preparing himself to expect the unexpected with no runner holding anything back.
"In the 1500, it's all about staying patient," Hunter said. "Whenever the moves are made, you have to answer them. When the whole field is there with 150 meters to go, it's whoever stayed the most patient and saved the most energy that will come out on top."
Hunter said the toughest part of nationals is getting out of the preliminary rounds to get into the finals.
All it takes is a bad start or one wrong move to ruin a race. When the field is full of adrenaline, those mistakes are bound to happen.
"Getting out is the first priority because once you're in the final, anything can happen," Hunter said. "There's no real favorites in the final. It doesn't matter what you ran in the heats or even your times during the season. If you're in the mix with 150 meters to go, you can win it. You just need to get there first."
Reaching the outdoor national championships came as a relief to Hunter after what he described as "disappointing" cross country and indoor track seasons.
"The biggest relief was getting to nationals, honestly, and I'm really happy to be on that level again," Hunter said. "I'm just happy to be there. I'm going to put it all out on the line when it counts."
